State of the IFL 2014

[Matt]

We've finally come to that cross roads that I never expected to see back in 2004 when we started this league. Literally 10 years ago!! It's been an awesome ride to say the least. Throughout the years we've seen people come and go. From Cringer, to Roadrash, to Hell Atlantic, to Jave, to sovstar, Suicane, Mr.Bigglesworth, Tarcone, Cy,.............
Then you have the list of guys who have been here for most of the past 10 years
BOSS, Vito, Argot Budda, Beans, Jester, Coder, Pirates, kobeck, r00k, TimG, CRex.


I offered to help run the league years ago. Probably back in 2008 or so. Back then, my oldest was 11 years old. now my kids are 16, 13, and 9. A lot has changed in my life during my life here with you guys. When Suicane decided to leave, it took him a few years to actually leave. I would say that I was in a similar situation as him at the time, but wasn't all the way there.

Fast forward to today. Our latest roll call shows that we have 12+ teams that are considered open. To be honest, I'm not interested in running a league that is 1/3rd open/AI teams. It's just not as much fun for anyone.

So we have some questions that we need answers to decide what we're going to do.

End the league today after 2026
We call it a career and wave goodbye.


We Continue as FOF2k7
There's quite a few people that seem to have issues with the new iteration of FOF. If we choose this route, I would choose to step down as commish and ask someone or a group of people to step up and take the torch. I'm not interested in being commish of a league that would stay with the old game. I may consider staying in the league. I believe we need more owners, but I would leave that up to new leadership.



We move forward to convert after getting a minimum of 30 owners
To me, it doesn't make sense to convert until we have a minimum of 30 teams covered. I would stay on as a commish, but need help. whether it be 1 person or a group of people. I just don't have the time to commit to be the main guy, and haven't had that time for quite some time.

I'd ask all to weigh in and I will post a poll in the next few days.

I will not send the files for conversion, as Jim only coverts game files 1 time.

thanks for your understanding.

[BOSS]

As much as the new game disappoints we must move forward with FOF7. Will that save the league? I highly doubt it but it would give us a few more seasons.

[jley618]

I bought FOF7 and am actively playing the new game in 4 leagues, 5 if this goes. Those that have complained about the new game, it really is improved under the hood. Jim had mentioned that one of the biggest changes for the long term was under the hood and wasn't as evident to the naked eye.

$37 isn't much for a game that should be going strong for the next few years.

C'mon guys, let's keep this thing going.

[ukpatfan]

Like most of us, my interest is waning but I have bought the new game and am ready to give it a go.
I do agree that it looks disappointing cosmetically but perhaps it will surprise us all and inject some interest into the league so we can attract some new blood.

If not then it seems pretty clear the IFL will fold which will be a shame.

Is there any mileage in considering a merger with another league as a short term fix?

[markc]

The "PFL" seems to be just about dead.
http://fof-pfl.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3&start=30

They only have 11 confirmed owners - which is about what we are missing.

Is anyone by chance in that league or know someone in there? Maybe we could offer to combine?

[SteveBsFan]

First, thank you for stepping up all these years Matt. Your work has not gone unnoticed by us and we are extremely grateful you were able to continue carrying the torch. (I hope I can speak for everyone here)

Second, those three options do seem like the most logical options. (I'll re-post the options here)

1) Scrap league
2) Keep FOF2k7, lose Matt as commish
3) Convert to FOF7 after we fill league

I don't like the idea of #2 at all if it means re-shuffling the league structure. In addition, it's going to be harder and harder finding people to fill spots using an older version of a game. We had a few cpu run teams this season, and I don't expect that to be any different with this option. Despite the issues of FoF7, fewer people will be playing FoF2k7.

My vote is for #3, purely for selfish reasons. I already bought the game, so it's a sunk cost (for me). I don't want to scrap the league, and #2 doesn't sound appealing.

With that said, I do think a poll should be up with those 3 options (or just options 1 and 3 if we find more people to agree with option 2 not sounding good).

[CyYoung]

I wish I could've time to step back in. I'd hate to see this league die. I have some great memories from this league. I didn't buy the new version yet. I plan to do it. I'll follow what happens and will see if coming back would be an option.

[Brando]

First, thank you for stepping up all these years Matt. Your work has not gone unnoticed by us and we are extremely grateful you were able to continue carrying the torch. (I hope I can speak for everyone here)

Second, those three options do seem like the most logical options. (I'll re-post the options here)

1) Scrap league
2) Keep FOF2k7, lose Matt as commish
3) Convert to FOF7 after we fill league

I don't like the idea of #2 at all if it means re-shuffling the league structure. In addition, it's going to be harder and harder finding people to fill spots using an older version of a game. We had a few cpu run teams this season, and I don't expect that to be any different with this option. Despite the issues of FoF7, fewer people will be playing FoF2k7.

My vote is for #3, purely for selfish reasons. I already bought the game, so it's a sunk cost (for me). I don't want to scrap the league, and #2 doesn't sound appealing.

With that said, I do think a poll should be up with those 3 options (or just options 1 and 3 if we find more people to agree with option 2 not sounding good).

This pretty much echoes everything I was going to say. I don't think a 2k7 league would be sustainable long term unless there really are a lot of people who are both incredibly disatisfied with the new game and will still stick with this old game when OOTP releases theirs. I'd hate to pack it up, but I'd also hate to keep soldiering on with 10-12 CPU teams.

[Matt]

First, thank you for stepping up all these years Matt. Your work has not gone unnoticed by us and we are extremely grateful you were able to continue carrying the torch. (I hope I can speak for everyone here)

Second, those three options do seem like the most logical options. (I'll re-post the options here)

1) Scrap league
2) Keep FOF2k7, lose Matt as commish
3) Convert to FOF7 after we fill league

I don't like the idea of #2 at all if it means re-shuffling the league structure. In addition, it's going to be harder and harder finding people to fill spots using an older version of a game. We had a few cpu run teams this season, and I don't expect that to be any different with this option. Despite the issues of FoF7, fewer people will be playing FoF2k7.

My vote is for #3, purely for selfish reasons. I already bought the game, so it's a sunk cost (for me). I don't want to scrap the league, and #2 doesn't sound appealing.

With that said, I do think a poll should be up with those 3 options (or just options 1 and 3 if we find more people to agree with option 2 not sounding good).

thanks for the kind words. It really is appreciated.

I wanted to have some feedback from everyone before setting up a poll, that's the only reason I didn't post one last night.

[Matt]

The "PFL" seems to be just about dead.
http://fof-pfl.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3&start=30

They only have 11 confirmed owners - which is about what we are missing.

Is anyone by chance in that league or know someone in there? Maybe we could offer to combine?

I've contacted Hooper to see what he thinks the interest level will be

[jley618]

The "PFL" seems to be just about dead.
http://fof-pfl.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3&start=30

They only have 11 confirmed owners - which is about what we are missing.

Is anyone by chance in that league or know someone in there? Maybe we could offer to combine?

I am

[bighousebrock]

I am

i would be interested too.

[Hooper]

After watching the original PFL and all of it's history fade away, I would definitely like to help the IFL continue. I'm not sure how many of our 12 or so members of the reboot will be interested though. Not wanting to continue a league with history was part of our original recruiting problem. It look like you guys already have jley and BHB is interested though. Count me in too, but only if Cy gets his poutine-loving butt back in here.

[Coder]

I'm with Steve all the way on this issue (thanks to Matt, Sui, Jeff and Cringer for all their hard work). I too have already bought 7, and I also think that moving on with 2K7 would hurt us down the road.

I would hate to see the veterans leave even though I certainly understand them, but I wouldn't want to be without my Sundays..

[BOSS]

Just throwing out an idea here to maybe entice the PFL guys. Maybe we just start from scratch with the new game? I hate to give up the history of the league but I have no problem starting over if it means a full league. Allocation draft might just fire up some of the people here, especially the teams that haven't won in years.